The 2020 Celebration of Progress for Penn State Lehigh Valley was held on January 10, 2020, as part of our annual All Campus Day for the Spring Semester to welcome faculty and staff back to campus. This time, the Chancellor’s Council decided to change things up a bit and hold a morning of appreciation for all faculty and staff to commemorate the great work put forth during the 2014-2019 Strategic Planning cycle. Student Lion Ambassadors greeted all faculty and staff with blue and white pom poms as they entered the building, while a PSU-inspired playlist of songs cheered them on. The program opened with musical entertainment by the William Allen High School Chorale, who performed two upbeat songs for the crowd. This was followed by a look at the progress the campus has made over the years through the video PSU-LV: Past, Present, Future! After updates by the Chancellor and Academic Affairs, faculty and staff gathered in small discussion groups and created posters depicting opportunities for the next 5 years as we geared up for the 2020-2025 strategic planning process.
Highlights of our retention strategic plan were presented, and the uniqueness of our identities was reinforced through a lively compliment-sharing activity of colleague appreciation.
Faculty and staff were then treated to lunch, PSU cupcakes and cocoa, and a Photo Booth with the Lion. Pictures were used the next week on the large screen in Center Hall to welcome back students.
Over 80 faculty and staff participated in the festivities. Feedback about the day was strong, with faculty and staff assessing the program through a post-survey by saying:
- The day created positive energy and a collaborative atmosphere. Looking back to the past and planning for the future of Penn State was a great way to begin the year.
- It was a nice lead in to strategic planning which will begin in the spring. Celebrating our success never get old!
- The day as a celebration was a great way to encourage everyone for the semester. There are a lot of exciting things happening on campus and it was nice to provide feedback in working groups also.
- I thought this was the best All Campus Day I’ve attended in my 6 plus years at PSULV. Well done, planning committee!
Please see the slide show below for highlights of the day!
